shutdown Archives

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Torchlight 3 studio Echtra Games, acquired by Zynga in 2021 to help it move into PC and console gaming, is being closed without doing that

Zynga has announced the closure of Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, ending development on future titles and reducing roles at the studio. This decision is part of a broader realignment of the company's resources and priorities. Echtra was acquired by Zynga shortly after the release of Torchlight 3, which received mixed reviews. The closure follows the shutdown of NaturalMotion's Star Wars: Hunters and reflects a trend within the gaming industry of companies reassessing their portfolios. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive, Zynga's parent company, has faced a workforce reduction of approximately 5% and sold its Private Division publishing division. The share price of Take-Two fluctuated after the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for a May 26, 2026 release on consoles.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

International authorities dismantle AVCheck in cybercrime operation

International authorities have dismantled AVCheck, a platform used by cybercriminals to test malware against antivirus software. The website avcheck.net now displays a seizure notice from the US Department of Justice, FBI, US Secret Service, and Dutch police. AVCheck was one of the largest counter antivirus services globally, aiding cybercriminals in evaluating their malware's stealth capabilities. Investigators found links between AVCheck's administrators and crypting services like Cryptor.biz and Crypt.guru. Law enforcement had placed a fake login page on AVCheck to warn users about legal risks before its shutdown on May 27, 2025. Undercover agents confirmed the illegal nature of AVCheck through transactions and connections to ransomware attacks. The FBI has also warned about the Silent Ransom Group, which has targeted law firms in the US using social engineering tactics.

Tech Optimizer

May 30, 2025

Dutch police takes Counter Antivirus service AVCheck offline

The Dutch Team High Tech Crime, in collaboration with international partners, has dismantled the counter-antivirus service AVCheck, which was used by cybercriminals to make malware undetectable. AVCheck was one of the largest services of its kind, allowing malware developers to test their software against antivirus programs. The operation involved cooperation from the Netherlands, the United States, and Finland, and was executed by the High Tech Crime Team under the National Public Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation not only shut down AVCheck but also gathered evidence against its administrators and users, including those of related services like Cryptor.biz and Crypt.guru. Additionally, a fake login page was launched to deter AVCheck users, and collaborations with antivirus organizations were established as part of Project Melissa. This action is connected to Operation Endgame, which previously targeted other malware services.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Pocket app is going away, so you should export your data now

Pocket will cease operations on July 8, 2025, and will enter export-only mode until October 8, 2025, after which all data will be permanently deleted. No new premium subscriptions will be accepted, and existing subscribers will receive automatic cancellations and refunds before the shutdown date. Pocket was acquired by Mozilla in 2017 and has introduced various features since then.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

‘We’re gonna do right by you’: Splitgate 2 CEO apologizes for server meltdown after the open beta goes live

The open beta for Splitgate 2 was launched on May 22 but faced significant challenges, leading developer 1047 Games to take the servers offline shortly after. CEO Ian Proulx expressed disappointment over the situation and acknowledged that the team had hoped for a smoother rollout. Technical difficulties include slow matchmaking and delays in experience points and progress gains, with player experiences varying widely. The in-game shop is active, but players have faced delays in receiving purchased items, which will be honored upon the game's return. Proulx assured that all transactions have been recorded. The team is addressing various bugs during the downtime, but a timeline for the game's return has not been established. A more comprehensive update is expected later today.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

How to Export Your Saved Articles Before Pocket Shuts Down for Good

Pocket will cease operations on July 8, with users required to export their saved items by October 8. The app is no longer available for download, and sign-ups and renewals have been disabled. Users can export their data by linking their account to a valid email and clicking the Export HTML file button, with the process taking up to 7 days. The export link will expire after 48 hours. Monthly renewals for Pocket Premium have been stopped, and annual subscribers will receive a prorated refund. All accounts and data will be permanently deleted after October 8.

BetaBeacon

May 17, 2025

Tribe Nine service will end on November 27 for iOS, Android, and PC

Tribe Nine, a free-to-play extreme action RPG, will be shut down on November 27 by Akatsuki Games. The game's Chapter 4 will not be released, all scheduled updates and content releases have been canceled, and unreleased characters will not be added. Refunds for purchases made within the app or web store will be issued after the service ends.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

This hidden Windows 11 feature lets you force an emergency restart — how it works and where to find it

Windows 11 includes an emergency restart feature that serves as a safer alternative to forcefully pressing the power button when a PC is unresponsive, reducing the risk of file corruption and system instability. For installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, users should assess hardware compatibility, utilize workarounds, back up data, explore community forums, stay updated on patches, consider hardware upgrades, and familiarize themselves with new features. To enhance security, users should enable two-factor authentication, regularly update software, use strong passwords, install antivirus software, be cautious with email attachments, back up data, and educate themselves about phishing scams.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft Releases Detailed Guide to Fix Windows Blue Screen Errors

Microsoft has released an official guide to address the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues in Windows 11 and Windows 10, updated on May 11, 2025, following a significant global outage in July 2024 caused by a problematic CrowdStrike update. The guide categorizes troubleshooting into basic and advanced steps, highlighting common error codes like PAGEFAULTINNONPAGEDAREA (0x00000050). Approximately 75% of stop errors are attributed to faulty drivers, making driver verification essential. Basic troubleshooting includes removing recently added hardware, booting into Safe Mode, checking Device Manager for problematic components, ensuring 10-15% free disk space, installing the latest Windows Updates, and using System Restore. Advanced troubleshooting involves using Event Viewer, running Windows Memory Diagnostics, and analyzing memory dumps with WinDbg. The guide emphasizes the resource-intensive nature of Driver Verifier and suggests testing suspicious drivers in smaller groups. It also includes hardware-specific troubleshooting tips, such as checking for overheating components and performing disk diagnostics with the “chkdsk” command.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

There’s a secret way to restart your Windows 11 PC? Here’s how to do it

The Emergency Restart method in Windows 11 can be initiated by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL and holding the CTRL key while clicking the power button. This prompts a message warning that any unsaved data will be lost and confirms the restart. It serves as an alternative to a hard reset, especially useful for unresponsive computers, and is beneficial for laptops without a dedicated power button. Users have reported successful restarts without adverse effects. Additionally, the Command Prompt can be used to restart the machine by typing "shutdown /r".